OSHKOSH – The Miss Wisconsin competition is preparing for its 60th year and Alice in Dairyland will make a stop in Oshkosh June 11. Plus, a local nonprofit launches a new Equine-Assisted Learning program starting June 12.
Here are some community news highlights to peruse as the week winds down.
Miss Wisconsin gears up for 60th year in Oshkosh June 21-24
Twenty-five women will compete for the title of Miss Wisconsin 2023 as the Miss Wisconsin competition celebrates its 60th year in Oshkosh June 21-24 at the Alberta Kimball Auditorium at Oshkosh West High School. And Miss Wisconsin's Teen will also be selected June 23.
The shows that week will feature Miss Wisconsin 2022 Kylene Spanbauer, Miss Wisconsin’s Teen 2022 Evelyn Green and special guest, Miss America 2023 Grace Stanke (on June 23 and 24 only).
Tickets for the Miss Wisconsin and Miss Wisconsin’s Teen Competition are available at misswisconsin.com. There is also a livestream option for the final competitions.
Spanbauer, of Fond Du Lac, assumed the title of Miss Wisconsin 2022 after Stanke won Miss America. She has committed her time as Miss Wisconsin to providing education and empowerment through her social impact initiative, “No Means No: Sexual Assault Education.”
Through Spanbauer’s work as a sexual assault prevention educator and youth/teen advocate, she provides abuse education and supports victims by helping contribute to the prevention of sexual violence. She was awarded a full scholarship to attend the University of Iowa and was a featured “Golden Girl” baton twirler for the Hawkeyes Marching Band for five years. She has also earned more than $15,000 in scholarships throughout her time in the Miss America and Miss America’s Teen organizations to further her education.
The Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization, established in 1936, is a non-profit state affiliate of the Miss America Organization. Three Miss Wisconsins have gone on to become Miss America: Terry Anne Meeuwsen in 1973, Laura Kaeppeler in 2012 and Grace Stanke in 2023.
‘Alice in Dairyland’ makes stop at Caramel Crisp Corner June 11
Caramel Crisp Corner, 200 City Center, Oshkosh, will host “Alice in Dairyland” Taylor Schaefer from 1 to 4 p.m. June 11.
Schaefer is serving as the 75th Alice in Dairyland. As Wisconsin’s agriculture ambassador, her goal is to educate audiences across Wisconsin about the $104.8 billion economic impact and importance of the state’s diverse agriculture industry.
The event is free and open to families. Activities will include a chance to meet Schaefer, petting baby calves and goats, sampling cheese, face-painting and balloon art.
For more info, email information@caramelcrispcorner.com or call 920-231-4540.
Neenah nonprofit launches new Equine-Assisted Learning program
BEAMING Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides equine-assisted services in Neenah, has launched a new Equine-Assisted Learning program titled Pony Power Academy.
According to a news release, the academy will be offered as part of the organization’s Diverse Abilities Support Equine Programs.
The release said Pony Power Academy is a children’s literacy program that provides a unique approach to helping children ages 4-12 with diverse learning abilities or who have struggled learning to read and write. BEAMING’s certified instructors, qualified staff and trained volunteers will guide children through learning activities and adventures that make reading fun, using curriculum that was developed based on Wisconsin literacy standards.
Fun learning opportunities about horses are also integrated into the programming, along with arts, crafts and barn activities, including BEAMING’s Sensory Walking Path, which engages children’s senses and allows them to express themselves.
The first session of Pony Power Academy will be held at the BEAMING Barn, 2692 County Road GG in Neenah, from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. June 12.
Additional sessions will be 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. July 10 and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and Aug. 14.
More sessions are expected to be added later this year, BEAMING said.
BEAMING requests a $15 donation for one child to participate and $5 for each additional child in the same family. Parents or guardians can register a child for the program by contacting Wendy Stabler, BEAMING controller, at wendy.beaming@gmail.com.
For more about BEAMING or the new Pony Power Academy, go to beaminginc.org or call 920-851-6160.
Read more:
Youth Hockey Association investigation: Oshkosh police continue probe of Youth Hockey Association theft that totaled at least $60K
Cereset: How this new Oshkosh business wants to 'reboot your brain'
Planet Purrrk Club: This Oshkosh coffeehouse is opening a space with on-site adoptable cats
Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 orbreid@gannett.com. Follow himon Twitter at@breidHTRNews.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Miss Wisconsin competition set in Oshkosh, and more community news
